January 30, 2023

Recent lab results from a follow-up sample collected at Big Sand Lake near the west cove indicate the continued presence of trace amounts of algae toxins in the water column. As a result, Big Sand Lake will continue to be closely monitored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) staff.

The FDEP will collect follow-up samples for analysis at a future date (possibly 2-4 weeks) determined by the FDEP for Big Sand Lake and will provide updates on any possible detection of algae toxins as reported on the FDEP Algal Bloom Reporting dashboard (https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom).

Please continue to refrain from irrigating or recreating on the lake, including swimming, fishing and boating until further notice, especially in the communities near the sample collection location including Estates at Phillips Landing, Bay Vista and Sand Lake Point.

January 6, 2023

Recent lab results from a follow-up sample collected at Big Sand Lake near the west cove indicate the continued presence of trace amounts of algae toxins in the water column. As a result, Big Sand Lake will continue to be closely monitored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) staff.

The FDEP will collect follow-up samples for analysis at a future date (possibly 2-4 weeks) determined by the FDEP for Big Sand Lake and will provide updates on any possible detection of algae toxins as reported on the FDEP Algal Bloom Reporting dashboard (https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom).

Please continue to refrain from irrigating or recreating on the lake, including swimming, fishing and boating until further notice, especially in the communities near the sample collection location including Estates at Phillips Landing, Bay Vista and Sand Lake Point.

December 12, 2022

ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a Health Caution for the presence of blue-green algae in Big Sand Lake - from Dock. This is in response to a site visit and water sample taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on December 8, 2022. The public should exercise caution in and around Big Sand Lake - from Dock.

Blooms have the potential to produce toxins, and what triggers them to begin doing so remains poorly understood. For this reason, it is important to exercise caution, as bloom conditions are dynamic and could change at any time. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) collects algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results will be posted on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard, and can also be viewed on the Protecting Florida Together website, where you can sign up to be notified of the latest conditions.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

• You should not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
• Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose, or mouth
• You should keep pets and livestock away from the waters in this location
• Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
• You should not eat shellfish from this location.